are possible to him that can believe. Our Lord showed his disciples their need of deep humility.
The Lord has such a property in every creature, as no man can have in another; he cannot be in
debt to them for their services, nor do they deserve any return from him.
Verses 11–19
A sense of our spiritual leprosy should make us very humble whenever we draw near to Christ.
It is enough to refer ourselves to the compassions of Christ, for they fail not. We may look for God
to meet us with mercy, when we are found in the way of obedience. Only one of those who were
healed returned to give thanks. It becomes us, like him, to be very humble in thanksgivings, as well
as in prayers. Christ noticed the one who thus distinguished himself, he was a Samaritan. The others
only got the outward cure, he alone got the spiritual blessing.
Verses 20–37
The kingdom of God was among the Jews, or rather within some of them. It was a spiritual
kingdom, set up in the heart by the power of Divine grace. Observe how it had been with sinners
formerly, and in what state the judgments of God, which they had been warned of, found them.
Here is shown what a dreadful surprise this destruction will be to the secure and sensual. Thus shall
it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. When Christ came to destroy the Jewish nation
by the Roman armies, that nation was found in such a state of false security as is here spoken of.
In like manner, when Jesus Christ shall come to judge the world, sinners will be found altogether
regardless; for in like manner the sinners of every age go on securely in their evil ways, and
remember not their latter end. But wherever the wicked are, who are marked for eternal ruin, they
shall be found by the judgments of God.
Chapter 18
Chapter Outline
The parable of the importunate widow. (1–8)
The Pharisee and the publican. (9–14)
Children brought to Christ. (15–17)
The ruler hindered by his riches. (18–30)
Christ foreshows his death. (31–34)
A blind man restored to sight. (35–43)Verses 1–8
All God's people are praying people. Here earnest steadiness in prayer for spiritual mercies is
taught. The widow's earnestness prevailed even with the unjust judge: she might fear lest it should